I. Sveklo

Spin reorientation transitions in Pt/Co/Pt films under low dose Ga+ ion irradiation

An elegant route for tuning the magnetic anisotropy of ultrathin Co films by Ga+ ion irradiation is presented. The magnetic anisotropy of a Pt/Co(2.6 nm)/Pt film is first changed from in-plane to out-of-plane by uniform low dose Ga+ ion irradiation at 30 keV. When increasing the dose, a second spin reorientation transition toward the sample plane is also evidenced. This could be a way to design magnetic nanowires with perpendicular anisotropy, embedded in an in-plane magnetized environment, either by irradiation through a mask or focused ion beam. Tentative explanations on the origin of these two successive spin reorientations are proposed.

Magnetic field induced transition from weak to strong ferromagnetic coupling in NiFe∕Au∕Co∕Au multilayers

We report on a specific magnetostatic coupling in sputter deposited (Ni80Fe20∕Au∕Co∕Au)10 multilayers of alternating in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic anisotropies. We demonstrate on the basis of complementary studies (magnetoresistance, conventional magnetometry, and element specific soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering hysteresis measurements) that the magnetization reversal of the Ni–Fe layers is strongly influenced by a magnetostatic coupling originating from the out-of-plane stripe domain stray fields of the Co layers.

Colloidal domain lithography for regularly arranged artificial magnetic out-of-plane monodomains in Au/Co/Au layers.

Regularly arranged magnetic out-of-plane patterns in continuous and flat films are promising for applications in data storage technology (bit patterned media) or transport of individual magnetic particles. Whereas topographic magnetic structures are fabricated by standard lithographical techniques, the fabrication of regularly arranged artificial domains in topographically flat films is difficult, since the free energy minimization determines the existence, shape, and regularity of domains. Here we show that keV He(+) ion bombardment of Au/Co/Au layer systems through a colloidal mask of hexagonally arranged spherical polystyrene beads enables magnetic patterning of regularly arranged cylindrical magnetic monodomains with out-of-plane magnetization embedded in a ferromagnetic matrix with easy-plane anisotropy. This colloidal domain lithography creates artificial domains via periodic lateral anisotropy variations induced by periodic defect density modulations. Magnetization reversal of the layer system observed by magnetic force microscopy shows individual disc switching indicating monodomain states.

Plasmon-enhanced fluorescence of labeled biomolecules on top of a silver sol-gel film

Abstract. A simple chemical technique was devised for the fabrication of silver nanostructured substrates which can be used for plasmonic enhancement of labeled proteins fluorescence. For bovine serum albumin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, the obtained enhancement factor ranges from three to seven, depending on metal-luminophore spacing and silver nanoparticle size. For excitation with linear polarized light, the enhancement factor increases noticeably for p-polarization and decreases for s-polarization. The experimental results were interpreted in terms of the theoretical model in which the enhancement factor depends on incident light polarization, luminophoremetal spacing and silver nanoparticle size. Proposed plasmonic substrates can be considered as an affordable replacement of standard ones in different types of fluorescent assays for the purpose of increasing sensitivity.

Material Selective Sensitivity of Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect in NiFe/Au/Co/Au Periodic Multilayers

Material selective sensitivity of a magneto-optical polar Kerr effect to magnetizations of films from different materials in a multilayer system is presented. The method is supported by rigorous modeling of magneto-optic response from the multilayer system and by experimental demonstration on the periodic cobalt-permalloy multilayers [Ni80Fe20(2 nm)/Au(2 nm)/Co(0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 nm)/Au(2 nm)]10 .

The growth modes of epitaxial Au/Co/Au sandwiches

Optimum growth conditions of epitaxial Au/Co/Au sandwiches with a strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy have been investigated. The thermally induced evolution of the sandwich morphology, which determines its magnetic properties, was studied by means of reflection high-energy electron diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy. The roughness of Au and Co surfaces, affected by the sample annealing, was evaluated from the length-dependent variance of topography acquired by atomic force microscopy.

Modification of magnetic properties of Pt/Co/Pt trilayers driven by nanosecond pulses of extreme ultraviolet irradiation

An irreversible rotation of magnetization from in-plane to an out-of-plane direction was induced in Pt/Co/Pt epitaxial trilayers by single and multiple pulses of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) irradiations. The radial dependence of remanence, coercivity and saturation fields across the irradiated spots was studied with the help of magneto-optical techniques for the samples with various Co and Pt buffer layer thicknesses. The sample surface and magnetic ordering were investigated using atomic force and magnetic force microscopies. Based on magnetic and morphological changes, the residual stress after thermoplastic deformation in the spot area is discussed as a reason for the observed transformation.

Magnetic phases in Pt/Co/Pt films induced by single and multiple femtosecond laser pulses

Ultrathin Pt/Co/Pt trilayers with initial in-plane magnetization were irradiated with femtosecond laser pulses. In this way, an irreversible structural modification was introduced, which resulted in the creation of numerous pulse fluence-dependent magnetic phases. This was particularly true with the out-of-plane magnetization state, which exhibited a submicrometer domain structure. This effect was studied in a broad range of pulse fluences up to the point of ablation of the metallic films. In addition to this single-pulse experiment, multiple exposure spots were also investigated, which exhibited an extended area of out-of-plane magnetization phases and a decreased damage threshold. Using a double exposure with partially overlapped spots, a two-dimensional diagram of the magnetic phases as a function of the two energy densities was built, which showed a strong inequality between the first and second incoming pulses.

SPRI biosensors for quantitative determination of matrix metalloproteinase-2

The aim of this study was to develop a new, label-free, highly selective Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging biosensor for the quantitative determination of matrix metalloproteinase-2. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 specific inhibitor, ARP 101, was used as the receptor, the main part of the biosensor, which bound the enzyme from the sample. The analytical response signal (linear part of the calibration curve) of the developed biosensor was in the range of 1.0–100.0 ng ml−1. Its detection limit was 3.9 ng ml−1, and the limit of quantification was 7.7 ng ml−1. The selectivity, precision and accuracy of the new biosensor were acceptable. The biosensor was used for the quantitative determination of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in the blood plasma of healthy persons and in the plasma of burned children, with good results (good tolerance for potential interferents). Also, to validate the new biosensor, the measurements of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-2 concentration in the biological samples by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay were conducted. It was found that the correlation between these two methods was good.

Colloidal domain lithography in multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy: an experimental study and micromagnetic simulations

Currently, much attention is being paid to patterned multilayer systems in which there exists a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, because of their potential applications in spintronics devices and in a new generation of magnetic storage media. To further improve their performance, different patterning techniques can be used, which render them suitable also for other applications. Here we show that He(+) 10 keV and Ar(+) 100 keV ion bombardment of (Ni(80)Fe(20)-2 nm/Au-2 nm/Co-0.6 nm/Au-2 nm)(10) multilayers through colloidal mask enables magnetic patterning of regularly arranged cylindrical magnetic domains, with perpendicular anisotropy, embedded in a non-ferromagnetic matrix or in a ferromagnetic matrix with magnetization oriented along the normal. These domains form an almost perfect two-dimensional hexagonal lattice with a submicron period and a large correlation length in a continuous and flat multilayer system. The magnetic anisotropy of these artificial domains remains unaffected by the magnetic patterning process, however the magnetization configuration of such a system depends on the magnetic properties of the matrix. The micromagnetic simulations were used to explain some of the features of the investigated patterned structures.